With the World Cup looming, and his team mates urging a step up to the national side, could Steve Harper really achieve what his former colleague, Shay Given, not manage with his country – a trip to South Africa?

This time last year, such a suggestion would have seemed preposterous, Harper being understudy to his Irish colleague in a team struggling at the wrong end of the table.

The apparent England number 1, David James, is having the sort of year that he would love to forget. His Portsmouth team seem to be nailed on favourites for relegation. James himself has missed a number of games through injury, but even so, his presence has coincided with 8 defeats and 2 draws in 12 league games. Behind a defence largely made up of full internationals, the 18 goals he has conceded average 1.5 per game.

The man who has taken James’ place recently has been West Ham’s Rob Green. West Ham are also under threat of relegation. Green also has international defenders in front of him, including USA’s Jonathan Spector, a player who will no doubt share Green’s weaknesses among his own international team mates for the opening group match.

At club level, Green has leaked 31 goals in his 16 appearances, a rate of 1.94 per game. Although Green has played in most of the recent internationals in the place of James, such form continued at club level is hardly likely to inspire confidence in South Africa.

The other player to have made an appearance between the sticks this year is Manchester United’s Ben Foster. Foster’s appearances for his club have been spasmodic, being understudy to veteran Edwin van der Sar, now retired from the Dutch squad.

Ostensibly, his league form looks good, with 8 goals conceded in 8 games. It should be remembered that these have been behind one of the most expensive defences in the league, including England stalwart Rio Ferdinand. Foster also conceded the goal that gave Besiktas their first away win in Champions League football. Polish keeper Tomas Kuszcsak has also moved ahead of Foster in the Old Trafford pecking order.

Former Newcastle manager, Sam Allardyce has been pressing the claims of Paul Robinson, dropped after a clanger against Croatia in 2006, and another against Germany at Wembley in 2007. 30 against him in 16 at 1.88 this season is hardly likely to impress Capello.

Few other English keepers feature at Premier League clubs. At Villa, Andy Marshall is behind the two American Brads, Friedl and Guzan. Tim Howard is the USA representative at Everton, keeping out Carlo Nash.

Matt Murray at Wolves is similarly kept at bay by yet another American, Hahnemann and Welshman, Hennessy. At Hull, Duke, filling in for another Welshman, Myhill, has let in 12 in 6.

Chris Kirkland at Wigan has one England cap to his name. His 34 goals conceded in 15 would seem to rule him out, particularly after England striker Defoe scored 5 against him in Spurs 9-1 victory earlier this season with Rooney and Owen further denting his chances.

Outside possibilities are those who qualify as naturalised Brits, following several years in the English game. One of those is 2^nd choice at Spurs, Carlo Cudicini who has 1 clean sheet in 7 league outings this season leaking 11, at a rate of 1.57. Another with perhaps a stronger claim is Almunia at Arsenal with 1 clean sheet in 12, with 1.25 goals against per game.

There is no English keeper in sight at Chelsea, Liverpool, Burnley and  Sunderland. Sorenson keeps out Simonsen at Stoke, and Schwarzer confinees Stockdale to a bit part role at Fulham, there is only one more place left to look in the Premier League.

Shay Given would appear to be doing his former club colleague Harper a favour. Joe Hart, with a cap against Trinidad and Tobago to his name, has been pushed out on loan to Birmingham City. However, he does boast 6 clean sheets with 16 against in 15 at a rate of 1.07. Given has yet to let his present understudy, Stuart Taylor, get into the picture.

If Given has kept other threats at bay, England selection would be just reward for club loyalty, with this being Harper’s most regular spell in the first team. Behind a leaky defence last season, his rate of 1.37 reduced to a mere 1 goal per game when taking the top four teams out of the equation.

This season has seen Harper benefit from a consistent run in the side, as well as being the prime focus of goalkeeping coach, Paul Barron. Only 12 goals conceded in 21 games at a rate of 0.57 is a record that can not be beaten by an English keeper this year.

The biggest argument against Harper would appear to be that he is not playing at the top level. His main competitors fall into a couple of categories, either a) they are not playing at all, and b) their Premier League survival is under threat whilst they are leaking goals at an alarming rate.

In his favour, Harper is staying sharp, staying confident, and by the time the World Cup comes around, could have the Premier League status ahead of his main rivals. In this league, another former England cap, Scott Carson has let in at almost double the rate, with 19 in 20 at West Brom.

Surely, Mr Capello, our Steve is worth more than a look, and you will be made very welcome at St James’ Park.

Article by RexN – visit our forum to discuss this post!

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